Dealer caught in Vernon drug investigation gets six months

VERNON - A drug dealer nabbed in an undercover investigation last November was sentenced to jail time today in Vernon Provincial Court.

Jalen Connauton, 20, was caught Nov. 2, 2016 when police officers followed up on information about a dial-a-dope drug operation, court heard today, May 3.

The investigation involved an undercover officer texting a cell number suspected of being used in the dial-a-dope operation. The officer arranged to meet the individual at the Vernon Recreation Centre to purchase drugs, according to the Crown.

Police set up surveillance near the recreation centre and Boys and Girls Club parking lot and at 2:50 p.m. that day, a Honda Civic pulled up. The officer got into the back seat and paid $40 in exchange for two packages of cocaine, each weighing 0.24 grams.

Connauton was charged with one count of trafficking a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail.

Defence counsel Claire Mastop said Connauton got mixed up in the drug lifestyle and was not in in a healthy place at the time of the offence. She said he is remorseful for the crime — his first drug offence — and intends to use his time in jail to complete his high school education.

In January 2017, the Vernon RCMP announced the arrests of 19 people in connection to a drug trafficking operation. The investigation occurred in November and December of 2016 and led to the seizure of various quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

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